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This book test was put out by the American Magic Company in 1994. The Amer. Magic Co. put out a number of interesting items, working with many talented magical creators, including Dan Tong, Steve Dusheck, Jim Kleefeld and others. Over the last few decades, items from AMC have become quite collectible.
Although I do not think the original instructions provide very good uses for these specially printed booklets, I have found a way to use them that has proven very effective. I will describe my routine with these booklets, because I think it is the best way to use these props. (I have written up my routine, and will provide it to anyone purchasing this item here at The Magic Gadget Site.)
The effect:
magi-mentalist shows three different booklets from a subscription book club. They are short murder mysteries. He explains that when a random image is planted in someone's mind, it can allow them to generate another random association -- but that the second association is actually not random at all. Rather, it is dictated by some cosmic synchronicity of the universe.
To prove this, the magi-mentalist has one spectator choose any of the booklets. The magi-mentalist also brings out a deck of cards and asks a second spectator to choose a random 2-digit number. The second spectator also cuts the deck at a random spot. The first spectator turns to the page that corresponds to the second spectator's random number. The magi-mentalist asks the first spectator to read the last paragraph on the page, and to see if it creates any impression of a specific playing card. The first spectator names a playing card. The Nine of Diamonds (for example).
The random card cut to by the second spectator is... you guessed it, the Nine of Diamonds.
NOTE: use any deck of cards -- no card deck is included -- the one in the photos is just to let you get a sense of size scale for the 42 page booklets used in the effect.
Not always the same card, spectator does have a free choice of page number. It is surprisingly effective for lay audiences. And that is my own bonus routine. You can look at the photo of the instruction sheet, that describes other ways to use these special booklets.
I remember seeing this item when it first came out, but 30 years ago, desktop publishing was only in its infancy, and I thought that the booklets did not seem "ordinary enough". Flash forward three decades, and self-published booklets like the ones provided for this book test had become quite common. So I found that I could credibly tell my audiences that these short story booklets were part of a "Murder of the Month" book club (that I joined so I would have something to read on the plane while travelling from gig to gig.)
The other hesitation I had when this item came out in 1994 was that it sold for about $30. Seemed a lot back then for a few specially-printed paperback booklets. Still seems a bit high, even in today's dollars. It is hard to find this item any more -- I did find one selling for the original price of $30.
But you can get it here for less, plus get my own handling -- a much better routine than anything the instructions teach (he said with the utmost humility!)
Whether you perform this one, or add it to your collection of 1990's mentalism and magic, you should give this one a try.
This is "new-old" inventory from ex-dealer stock, so it is brand new and never used. PLUS my bonus TMGS instruction sheet.
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